If you’ve ever dreamed stepping in front of the footlights, or if you’re already a seasoned thespian, get down to the auditions for the lastest production of Meaford Community Theatre. “The Whole Town’s Talking”. The 1923 play by husband and wife team John Emerson and Anita Loos (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) reveals the hilarious consequences when a man contrives a more interesting past to woo a girl. His invented history of an affair with a famous movie star does the trick – until the movie star (and her jealous boyfriend) come to town.

Director Gordon Rowatt is looking for a cast of five males and seven females ranging in age from young adults to seniors, as well as bit-parts for several teenage girls.

If you’re interested in taking to the stage at Meaford Hall for the production during the last week of April, head down to the auditions on on Saturday, January 12 from 3 – 5pm and Tuesday, January 15 from 7 – 9pm.

Producer Greg Brown is also looking for other crew, including publicity, costumes, sets, prop and stage crew. Head to the auditions or Greg at 519-538-0517.

Now that Liz Smith’s family is older, she’s “taking the time to do things for myself.” And that includes acting, something she hadn’t done since her high school days, she told Greg Brown in The Meaford Independent. Liz took to the stage at Meaford Hall as Dr. Charlotte in the Meaford Community Theatre production of Marvin’s Room last month.

Retirement provides a perfect opportunity to jump into activities you’ve never had the time for in the past. And we just know a lot of soon-to-be-retirees are harbouring a secret desire for the limelight. With the Meaford Community Theatre and a number of other active theatre groups in the area, formerly shy actors can break out of the dressing room and hit the stage.

To learn more about Meaford Community Theatre and opportunities to audition or apply for behind-the-scenes roles, call Joanne McKenzie at 519-538-9160 or Greg Brown at 519-538-0517.

And if you’re eager to see a small-town community theatre group in action, you don’t need to wait long. In two weeks, Thornbury Community Theatre presents the comedy-thriller A Tomb With a View at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg. Tickets for the performances running May 3 through May 6 are $10 in advance at Thornbury PharmaSave, Stuff to Read in Meaford and The Crow’s Nest book store in Collingwood.

Even tiny Rocklyn, just up the Niagara Escarpment from Meaford, has its own community theatre. Rocklyn Country Theatre put on four shows of Seniors of the Sahara last week to rave reviews.

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